SuperRugby: Highlanders v Hurricanes. 12/05/2012

[Draggs]

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin- 07:35 GMT, 12/05/2012

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[Larksea]

Gonna be a big game. Seems like these two teams will fight to the death for the 6th playoff spot. Highlanders have their nose in front but the canes have momentum.

Key battles for All Black spots too. Smith vs. Perenara, Ben Smith vs. Andre Taylor, Ben May vs. Jamie MacIntosh, Manu vs. Vito and dont forget Hore vs. Coles (the master vs. the apprentice)... Key battles on the wings as well - like a game inside a game.

 

[Draggs]

Gonna be a big game. Seems like these two teams will fight to the death for the 6th playoff spot. Highlanders have their nose in front but the canes have momentum.

Key battles for All Black spots too. Smith vs. Perenara, Ben Smith vs. Andre Taylor, Ben May vs. Jamie MacIntosh, Manu vs. Vito and dont forget Hore vs. Coles (the master vs. the apprentice)... Key battles on the wings as well - like a game inside a game.

Inceptirugby! Good points, really looking forward to this one. Highlanders with a few key injuries, their backrow looking pretty fragile these days.

 

[Dizzy]

Tim Bateman may be forced out. He has been bracketed with Charlie Ngatai

 

[Gena_ZA]

Should be a good game. Highlanders seem to fade about this time most seasons, Hurricanes to take it I think

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie 'Landers - 'Canes

vBookie added

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Gonna be a big game. Seems like these two teams will fight to the death for the 6th playoff spot. Highlanders have their nose in front but the canes have momentum.

Key battles for All Black spots too. Smith vs. Perenara, Ben Smith vs. Andre Taylor, Ben May vs. Jamie MacIntosh, Manu vs. Vito and dont forget Hore vs. Coles (the master vs. the apprentice)... Key battles on the wings as well - like a game inside a game.

agree with all except Jamie v ben may, MacIntosh is a marshmellow, someone his size should dominate the tight stuff...but he doesn't, i think he's too top heavy

Should be a good game. Highlanders seem to fade about this time most seasons, Hurricanes to take it I think

bit of a stretch, we did last year but before that we generally pretty consistant throughout the season.....at the bottom

 

[Dizzy]

I'm looking forward to Andre Taylor and Ben Smith's head to head...

 

[Gena_ZA]

I'm looking forward to Andre Taylor and Ben Smith's head to head...

Definitely, NZ are blessed with some fine players at 15

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I'm looking forward to Andre Taylor and Ben Smith's head to head...

my money's on Taylor to come out of top in a head to head...headgear and all...:huh:

The team is: Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Tamati Ellison, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Chris King.
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray, Culum Retallick, Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Chris Noakes, Kendrick Lynn

squad starting to look a bit thin jamie only out for a rest
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[donmcdazzle]

I thought Crosswell was out for the season.. apparently not

 

[Larksea]

HIGHLANDERS: Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Tamati Ellison, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Chris King. Reserves; Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray, Culum Retallick, Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Chris Noakes, Kendrick Lynn


MacIntosh rested, Treeby out? Injured? Good to see Burleigh back though. Croswell back from injury and Tim Boys on the bench. Interesting side.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Still plenty of fire power there - should do fine providing they aren't too tired from their trip!

 

[donmcdazzle]

Jimmy Cowan mistake after mistake, that kick was so dumb. Should have left smith on. Great, great try from Savea though.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yeah, bloody Cowan. And Rutledge too, what the hell! Stupid firggin hookers.

 

[Dizzy]

Well, I have to say Ben Smith won the head to head vs Andre Taylor. Taylor really never turned it on tonight. Maybe not ready for that All Black call up after all. It's matches like these that will count for contention.
Overall, quite messy from the Canes regardless of the win. They should be worried about their chances to finish within the top 6. They really needed a bonus point win in this match, the Highlanders still sit above them for the bonus point loss

 

[donmcdazzle]

Ben smith wasn't very impressive either. Ellison had a good game, gear was threatening. Savea showed a few more flashes of brilliance on attack.

 

[Dizzy]

Ben Smith wasn't as impressive as he can be BUT atleast he was trying to get involved. Which is more you could say for Taylor, he only gets a hand on the ball when it gets kicked back to them. Which is fine, but the fact that Ben Smith looked more dangerous is why I said Smith had the upper hand. I disagree, I don't think Gear was threatening at all, not like he can be. I think he made one half break[where Shields hung on by the fingertips], other than that, he was well handled;

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Julian Savea I thought was pretty outstanding tonight.

 

[munstermuffin]

Was that ref the Sarries 10 like recent enough